Why does Gaga call herself a Swine in the song "Swine"

[Katie14 4,828]

This is interesting because the song is about rape and she calls her rapist a swine. But then she sings, "Maybe I should have a little more just to get out of my mind. Cuz its when im not thinking with you that I act like a Swine". Im assuming "you" is a d--g. So she is saying that when she is not high she acts like a swine as well. 

I think Gaga is saying that she is very self destructive. When she isn't damaging herself with d--gs, she damages herself in some other way, in this case by acting like a swine. Maybe acting like a swine means allowing men to have s-x with her. Maybe they implied that she needs to for her career and she complied even though she didn't want to (this would be considered coerced rape).  Maybe she feels dirty and shameful about doing that. 

What do you think Gaga means when she calls herself a swine?

[Shaney 5,515]

I always thought it was cuz its when im not thinkin, you gotta act like a swine

[URFUTUREFAV 1,292]

Because when you get raped, you feel as dirty as the rapist. 

[Katie14 4,828]

Because when you get raped, you feel as dirty as the rapist. 

But she said she acts like a swine, not that she feels like a swine. 

[Shaney 5,515]

maybe cuz that's what she felt she had to do to get to the top, be s-xual with men in the industry... when in reality, that's not what you're supposed to do.  

[TEANUS 14,979]

I've always wondered this too

[URFUTUREFAV 1,292]

But she said she acts like a swine, not that she feels like a swine. 

Well, when you're depressed/hate yourself you **** up a lot.

[lxdygxga 3,353]

I think she meant that the cumulative effect of the abuse was long lasting and made her become the s-xual aggressor - because she was tormented she did things that made her feel like a Swine - d--gs, alcohol, s-x etc.

[Sister 9,907]

She feels disgusted and ashamed and hates herself, in the moment.

[Kulture Kiari 3,433]

I dont think those are the correct lyrics, are they? :huh:

[Gardevoir 9,822]

Some interpretations: "Maybe I should have a little more just to stay out of my mind
Cause it's when I'm not thinking with you that I act like a swine!" - 'This seems contrary. Why does she become a swine when she’s not with the swine? Perhaps being a swine represents being the worse that one could be, and it’s when she’s all alone, she’s at her lowest.

Another interpretation is that she acts like a different kind of swine, the kind of swine’s that’s wild and unafraid on the stage.'

and another one:

"This song is very popular in the gay d--g using community. Gay men who use d--gs call each other “pigs” when using as a term of endearment. This line just cements this idea as she could be talking about d--gs. Meth, actually. Some gay men use meth for s-xual purposes. To lose themselves and step put of their minds and into the dirty “pig” mentality. It’s also a d--g that keeps you up for hours and even days. When on meth, there is no thoughts only actions. That’s why she’s not thinking and only acting like a swine."

 

 

[KindaTrashy 163]

Isn't it a reference to victim blaming? She's drinking, she's out of control: 'maybe I should have a little more just to stay out of my mind', and she's acting like an animal; it's mocking the idea that she somehow led him on with her 'provocative' behaviour. 

 

[AbuHassan1992 766]

when she says that maybe she should have a little more to stay out of her own mind, she probably means that when she's sober, all her bad, destructive thoughts start rolling in, and when she's not using d--gs, she has no way of escaping those feelings, thus being a "swine"

[darkchylde 14,857]

she ate too much pork

[Head Empty 25,083]

I was thinking about making this topic as well

I always interpret the song as if it's about d--gs. On the album, Gaga often switches perspective in terms of narration, like in Sexxx Dreams how one second she's taking the perspective of the dreamer, and on the other it's her real self. For Swine, it's almost as if the insecure voices in her head (or maybe even the d--gs themselves) are trying to tear her down. She's having psychological warfare with herself:

"You're just an ani-mal, trying to act real special, but deep down you are just a shrew".

"I know you want me, you're just a pig inside a human body...you're so disgusting"

She knows she's having destructive thoughts, and she knows that she shouldn't keep reminding herself about these things:

"Maybe I should have a little more just to stay out of my mind, cuz it's when I'm not thinking with you (the d--gs) that I act like a Swine"

The s-xual abuse could be a main contributor to these destructive thoughts. They made her feel horrible about herself. Just like what she says in MJH, the d--gs helped her forget about everything, and she became a new person. So when the build-up comes in Swine, she starts to lose herself in those d--gs and other addictions. That's also what she said in a lot of speeches at the artRAVE before singing Swine: "Whenever I feel sad, I need to dance, I need to rave and lose myself in the music".